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For people who carry common gene variants, smoking increases risk of aneurysm

For people who carry common gene variants, cigarette smoking greatly increases the risk that a blood vessel in the brain will weaken and balloon out - called an aneurysm - which could be life-threatening if it ruptures, according to research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2010.

27 Feb 2010

National Alliance for Hispanic Health urges Congress to support health insurance reform bill

"Health is more than insurance coverage, but it is critical that this step be accomplished as we continue our journey towards health care for all," said Dr. Jane L. Delgado, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, the nation's leading Hispanic health advocacy group. According to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than a third (37.1%) of Hispanic workers do not have health insurance.

27 Feb 2010

Dabigatran as effective as warfarin in preventing subsequent strokes among atrial fibrillation patients

The drug dabigatran was as effective as the currently recommended drug – warfarin – in preventing a subsequent stroke among people with atrial fibrillation and prior stroke or transient ischemic attack – and it did so with less bleeding according to late-breaking science presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2010.

27 Feb 2010

BestHealthcareRates.com to merge with Parasol Financial & Insurance Solutions

BestHealthcareRates.com announced a business merger with Parasol Financial & Insurance Solutions. The joint company will adopt the name Parasol and will provide an expanded portfolio of financial and insurance products, including life, Medicare and income disability coverage for individuals and groups.

27 Feb 2010

CAMH signs licensing agreement with US-based Athena Diagnostics to market new genetic test

For the second time in as many months the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health has signed a licensing agreement with US-based Athena Diagnostics Inc. to market a new genetic test.

From Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. 26 Feb 2010

The VA will reexamine Gulf War Illness Cases; House probes impact of burn pits

The Veterans Affairs Administration is planning to take another look at Gulf War Illness Cases, while the House probes the impact of burn pits.

26 Feb 2010

Larynx preservation using chemotherapy followed by radiation is effective treatment: Study

Head and neck cancer patients receiving induction chemotherapy followed by radiation to preserve their larynx have a low-risk of severe voice disability and almost half experienced no eating or swallowing problems, according to a first of its kind study presented at the Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium, sponsored by AHNS, ASCO, ASTRO and SNM.

26 Feb 2010

Canadian nurses remind federal government ahead of its budget: Health and wealth go hand in hand

Canadian nurses are reminding the federal government ahead of its March 4 budget that health and wealth go hand in hand, with a healthy workforce being a crucial element of economic recovery.

26 Feb 2010

Teva Pharmaceutical announces clinical study results of Copaxone in RRMS patients

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. today announced the publication of data from the 15-year clinical study with Copaxone® (glatiramer acetate injection), which is the longest prospective and continuous evaluation ever conducted in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients. The data were published in the February issue of the journal Multiple Sclerosis.

26 Feb 2010

Exergames improve mood and mental health-related quality of life in seniors with SSD

Research at the Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine suggests a novel route to improving the symptoms of subsyndromal depression (SSD) in seniors through the regular use of "exergames" - entertaining video games that combine game play with exercise. In a pilot study, the researchers found that use of exergames significantly improved mood and mental health-related quality of life in older adults with SSD.

26 Feb 2010

Connecticut has especially high insurance hikes, disability advocates worry about Medicaid cuts in Tennessee

The Hartford Courant: "With average rate hikes at 13 percent or more this year for most plans, Connecticut health insurance premiums appear to be rising faster than the nation's. A typical family plan in Connecticut sold through an employer costs about $14,500 -- an estimate based on the Kaiser Family Foundation's report on 2009 prices and this year's rates of growth.

25 Feb 2010

New research using MRI shows that childhood stress can lead to structural brain changes

New research using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows that childhood stress such as abuse or emotional neglect, in particular when combined with genetic factors, can result in structural brain changes, rendering these people more vulnerable to developing depression. The study led by scientists at Trinity College Dublin has just been published in the international scientific journal, Neuropsychopharmacology.

25 Feb 2010

Recovery of consciousness in traumatic brain injury patients

The recovery of consciousness following traumatic brain injury and recent advances in neuroimaging and deep brain stimulation will be discussed at the 14th Annual Swartz Foundation Mind/Brain Lecture at Stony Brook University on Monday, March 15, 2010 at 4:30 p.m. in the Staller Center for the Arts.

25 Feb 2010

New report focuses on improving care delivery system for stroke patients

The American Stroke Association and other organizations have spent the last decade changing the care delivery system for stroke in the United States. Now the focus must include greater emphasis on prevention and recovery, according to a special report published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.

25 Feb 2010

Low doses of lasofoxifene reduce all common problems in postmenopausal women: Study

Low doses of the medication lasofoxifene can reduce the risk of vertebral and non-vertebral fractures, ER-positive breast cancer, coronary heart disease and stroke in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. That's the finding of a new study in the latest issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

25 Feb 2010

Identification of gaps in accessing stroke centers cuts down the deadly toll of stroke

When stroke strikes, choking off blood supply to the brain, every minute counts: Nearly 2 million neurons die each minute a stroke is left untreated, making it a race to recognize symptoms so that lifesaving "clot-busting" drugs can be administered.

25 Feb 2010

MHN forms Men's Health Caucus to improve health and well-being of men

Men's Health Network is pleased to announce the formation of a Men's Health Caucus in official relations with the American Public Health Association. As an active participant of the APHA Annual Meeting for many years we have seen growing interest and excitement generated around the need and desire to form a Men's Health Caucus and we are happy to see it come to fruition.

25 Feb 2010

Prevalence of arthritis and AAL may be effect of obesity and physical inactivity, particularly in women

Researchers from the Toronto Western Research Institute noted a higher prevalence of arthritis and arthritis-attributable activity limitations (AAL) in the U.S. versus the Canadian population. The authors attribute the higher prevalence of arthritis and AAL to a greater level of obesity and physical inactivity in Americans, particularly women.

25 Feb 2010

Institute of Medicine to be congratulated for calling more resources to fight hypertension

The Institute of Medicine is to be congratulated for sounding the call for more resources to fight hypertension (high blood pressure), the number two preventable cause of death and a leading contributor to heart disease and stroke. Heart disease and stroke are the number one and three overall causes of death of individuals in the United States.

25 Feb 2010

SSRIs exhibit anti-inflammatory effects and may provide drug development opportunities for RA

A new study found that fluoxetine (Prozac-) and citalopram (Celexa-) treatment significantly inhibited disease progression of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice. Research led by Sandra Sacre, Ph.D. from the Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) in the UK studied the anti-arthritic potential of these drugs, known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), most commonly used to treat depression.

25 Feb 2010

Disability News and Research

For people who carry common gene variants, smoking increases risk of aneurysm

National Alliance for Hispanic Health urges Congress to support health insurance reform bill

Dabigatran as effective as warfarin in preventing subsequent strokes among atrial fibrillation patients

BestHealthcareRates.com to merge with Parasol Financial & Insurance Solutions

CAMH signs licensing agreement with US-based Athena Diagnostics to market new genetic test

The VA will reexamine Gulf War Illness Cases; House probes impact of burn pits

Larynx preservation using chemotherapy followed by radiation is effective treatment: Study

Canadian nurses remind federal government ahead of its budget: Health and wealth go hand in hand

Teva Pharmaceutical announces clinical study results of Copaxone in RRMS patients

Exergames improve mood and mental health-related quality of life in seniors with SSD

Connecticut has especially high insurance hikes, disability advocates worry about Medicaid cuts in Tennessee

New research using MRI shows that childhood stress can lead to structural brain changes

Recovery of consciousness in traumatic brain injury patients

New report focuses on improving care delivery system for stroke patients

Low doses of lasofoxifene reduce all common problems in postmenopausal women: Study

Identification of gaps in accessing stroke centers cuts down the deadly toll of stroke

MHN forms Men's Health Caucus to improve health and well-being of men

Prevalence of arthritis and AAL may be effect of obesity and physical inactivity, particularly in women

Institute of Medicine to be congratulated for calling more resources to fight hypertension

SSRIs exhibit anti-inflammatory effects and may provide drug development opportunities for RA

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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